ES2791727T3 - Ice making device, refrigerator including ice making device, and method of controlling the refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator comprising: a main body (10) comprising a storage compartment (11); a door (13) for opening or closing the storage compartment; an ice making device (20) disposed in the storage compartment or on a rear surface of the door; a water tank (40), disposed above the ice maker, for supplying water for making ice pieces for the ice maker; an ice bin (30) disposed below the ice maker for storing ice pieces made in the ice maker, wherein the ice maker comprises: an ice maker tray (210) ice comprising a plurality of ice making chambers (212) for receiving water to make ice pieces; an ejector (260) extending from an upper central portion of the ice-making tray in a longitudinal direction of the ice-making tray, the ejector being configured to pass through both ends of the ice-making tray , in which the ejector is arranged to be kept in a fixed state during water supply, ice making, and ice separation, and in which the ice making tray is configured to rotate by an angle of 360° in one direction with respect to the ejector, for irrigation supply, ice making, and ice separation; and a tray support (274) for supporting the ice making tray, the tray support including a shaft coupling unit (275) projecting horizontally from a surface therefrom for supporting the second axis of rotation, in the that the ejector includes: a fixing shaft (262) passing through both ends of the ice making tray and having one end fixedly connected to the shaft coupling unit, to be held in a fixed state during water supply, ice making, and ice separation; and a plurality of arms (264) extending radially from an outer circumferential surface of the fixing shaft, for pressing the generated ice pieces in the ice-making chambers to eject the ice pieces from the ice-making tray when the ice-making tray rotates, wherein the water tank comprises: a water discharge hole (418) defined on a lower surface thereof; and a valve assembly (430) for opening and closing the water discharge hole, wherein the ice making tray further comprises: a first axis of rotation (214) extending from a side surface thereof; and a second axis of rotation (215) extending from the other side surface opposite the side surface, wherein the refrigerator further comprises: a drive unit (280) connected to the first axis of rotation; a valve operation unit (230) installed on an outer circumferential surface of the second axis of rotation to rotate integrally with the ice making tray, the valve operation unit comprising a cam body (231) and a protrusion ( 234) protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the cam body; and an operation element (240) having one end in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the valve operation unit and the other end connected to the valve assembly, for converting a rotational force of the valve operation unit into linear reciprocating motion to operate the valve assembly.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Ice making device, refrigerator including ice making device, and method of controlling the refrigerator

Background

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a method of controlling the same.

In general, refrigerators are appliances for storing food at low temperatures.

A refrigerator disclosed in Prior Art Document 1 includes a water supply container in a refrigeration compartment, an ice-making equipment for making a piece of ice in a freezing compartment, and a pump for supplying water through the freezer compartment. forces into the container for supplying water to the ice making equipment. In this structure, the pump that forcibly supplies the water from the water supply container to the ice making equipment and an electronic valve to adjust the flow rate are necessary. As a result, manufacturing costs can increase due to the installation of the pump and valve. Additionally, a technology is required to control the pump and valve.

In an ice making device disclosed in Prior Art Document 2, there is included an ice making tray having a plurality of cells, an ejector for ejecting a piece of ice in the cell, a drive motor for driving the ejector and a heater to heat the ice making tray. In this structure, since the heater for separating the piece of ice formed in the cell of the ice making tray from the ice making tray must be provided because the ice making tray is formed of a metallic material , increases the power consumption due to the operation of the heater.

A refrigerator disclosed in Prior Art Document 3 includes ice making equipment and an ice bin in a refrigerator compartment door.

Ice making equipment connects to a motor assembly to twistly separate a piece of ice.

According to Prior Art Document 3, since the ice making equipment has to rotate in the other direction after rotating and twisting in one direction to deform the ice making equipment, a DC motor must be used. bi-directional requiring high torque to increase motor cost.

Also, when an ice-making device is installed inside a door of the freezer compartment or the freezer compartment, the water charged in a water tank that constitutes the ice-making device can freeze and hence it cannot be dispensed smoothly into the ice making tray. To solve the above limitations, a method of mounting a heater above the water tank can be considered. However, in this case, power is required to operate the heater, and power consumption may increase if no heater on / off control is performed.

Also, when the heater operates in a state where the water tank is empty, there may be a risk of fire, and it may also cause the refrigerator to malfunction.

Prior Art Document 1: KR2011-0016092A (February 17, 2011)

Prior Art Document 2: KR2010-0061492A (June 07, 2010)

Prior Art Document 3: KR2011-0072367A (June 29, 2011)

Prior Art Document 4: KR2010-0002901A (Jan 07, 2010)

JPS49-122049A discloses an ice making device for a refrigerator having a rotating ice making tray.

Summary

Embodiments are provided to improve the limitations described above.

In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body that includes a storage compartment; a door that opens and closes the storage compartment; an ice-making device disposed in the storage compartment or on a rear surface of the door; a water tank arranged above the ice making device for supplying water for making pieces of ice in the ice making device; and an ice bin disposed below the ice making device for storing pieces of ice made in the ice making device, wherein the ice making device includes: an ice making tray including a plurality of chambers for making ice in which water is loaded to make the pieces of ice; and an ejector extending from an upper central portion of the ice-making tray in a longitudinal direction of the ice-making tray to pass through both ends of the ice-making tray, wherein the ejector is kept in a fixed state during water supply, ice making, and ice separating, and the ice making tray rotates through an angle of about 360 ° in one direction relative to it.

In another embodiment, a method of controlling a refrigerator includes: a main body that includes a storage compartment; a door that opens and closes the storage compartment; an ice-making device disposed in the storage compartment or on a rear surface of the door; a water tank arranged above the ice making device for supplying water for making pieces of ice in the ice making device; and an ice bin disposed below the ice making device for storing pieces of ice made in the ice making device, wherein the ice making device includes: an ice making tray including a plurality of chambers for making ice in which water is loaded to make the pieces of ice; and an ejector extending from a central portion of an upper surface of the ice making tray in a longitudinal direction of the ice making tray to pass through both ends of the ice making tray, wherein the ejector is kept in a fixed state, and the ice making tray successively performs water supply, ice making, and ice separation processes while rotating at an angle of approximately

360 ° in one direction relative to the ejector.

Details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and description below.

Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. Aspects of an invention are defined in the accompanying independent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a freezer compartment door according to the first embodiment.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement of a water tank and an ice-making device according to the first embodiment.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the constitutions of an ice making assembly according to the first embodiment.

Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating a state in which an ice making tray and an ejector are arranged according to the first embodiment.

Figure 6 is a view illustrating a direction of an ejector force applied to a piece of ice generated in the ice making tray in Figure 5.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an operation of an ice making assembly according to the first embodiment.

Figure 8 is a partially enlarged view of portions A and B of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment.

Figure 10 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment.

Figure 11 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment.

Figure 12 is a front view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the refrigerator of which one door is in an open state.

Figure 14 is a schematic view of an ice-making device according to one embodiment. Figure 15 is the control constitutions of a temperature sensor, a controller, and an ice separating motor arranged in the ice making device.

Figure 16 is a view illustrating one form of a contact point disposed on a frame of the ice maker.

Figures 17 and 19 are views of one form of a contact point arranged on a frame of an ice-making device according to another embodiment.

Figure 20 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment.

Detailed description of the realizations

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Next, a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a freezer compartment door according to the first embodiment.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment may include a main body 19 including a freezer compartment 11 and a refrigeration compartment 12 arranged below the freezer compartment 11, a compartment door 13 freezer connected to the main body 10 to open and close the freezer compartment 11, and a refrigeration compartment door 14 connected to the main body 10 to open and close the refrigeration compartment door 12. In the current embodiment, the freezer compartment 11 and the refrigeration compartment 12 are commonly referred to as a storage compartment, and the freezer compartment door 13 and the refrigeration compartment door 14 are commonly referred to as a refrigerator door.

The freezer compartment door 13 may include an outer shell 14 that defines an exterior appearance, a door liner 15 to cover the freezer compartment 11, and a decorative element 16 that connects the door liner 15 to the outer shell 14.

An ice making assembly may be provided to generate and store pieces of ice on the door liner 15. The ice making assembly may include an ice making device 20 for generating the ice pieces and an ice bin 30 for storing the generated ice pieces in the ice making device 20.

Also, a heat insulation box 151 may be provided on a rear surface of the door 13 of the freezer compartment. The heat insulation box 151 can be defined as a unit of the door liner 15. Also, the heat insulation box 151 may define a space to accommodate a water tank (see reference numeral 40 of Figure 3) in which water is stored to make pieces of ice.

Also, a box cover 152 can open and close an interior space of the heat insulation box 151. A heat insulation material may also be additionally provided in a space defined by the heat insulation box 151 and the box cover 152.

Also, the box cover 152 can be separated from the heat insulation box 151 to install the water tank 40 in the heat insulation box 151 or to separate the water tank 4 from the heat insulation box 151.

In the present embodiment, because the water tank 40 is arranged in the heat insulation box 151, a phenomenon in which the water tank 40 freezes can be avoided by cooling the air in the freezing compartment even though it is cooled. arrange the water tank 40 in the door 13 of the freezer compartment.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement of a water tank and ice making device according to the first embodiment, and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the constitutions of a mounting for making ice according to the first embodiment.

With reference to Figures 2 to 4, the water tank 40 according to the first embodiment can be arranged directly above the ice-making device 20.

A tank support 50 may be provided to support the water tank 40 in the heat insulation box 151. The water tank 40 can be seated separately on an upper surface of the tank support 50.

The water tank 40 may include a tank body 410 defining a space in which the water is stored and a tank cover 420 for opening and closing the tank body 410.

An opening 412 may be defined in the tank body 410. The tank cover 420 can open and close the opening 412. The tank cover 420 can be detachably or rotatably coupled to the tank body 410.

A user can separate the water tank 40 from the door 13 of the freezer compartment and open the opening 412 to supply the water to the tank body 410. Also, the user can clean the interior of the tank body 410 in a state that the opening 412 is open.

A hole 422 can be defined through which air flows in the tank cover 420. The user can supply the water to the tank body 410 through the hole 422 without separating the tank cover 420 from the tank body 410.

A seat guide 510 may slant over an upper surface of the tank support 50. An accommodation 414 in which the seat guide 510 is accommodated may be defined in a lower portion of the tank body 410. The seat guide 510 can be accommodated in the accommodation unit 414 to avoid a phenomenon in which the water tank 40 oscillates horizontally while the door 13 of the freezer compartment is opened or closed. The user can lift the water tank 40 to separate the water tank 40 from the tank holder 50.

A lower wall 415 of the tank body 410 can be tilted downwardly to correspond to a shape of the seat guide 510. Also, a water discharge hole (see reference numeral 418 of Figure 8) may be defined to discharge the water at a point on the lower wall 415, which corresponds to the lowest portion of the lower wall 415. Also, the tank body 410 includes a valve assembly 430 for opening and closing the water discharge hole 418. An operation of the valve assembly 430 will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The tank bracket 50 can be coupled to the heat insulation box 151 or integrated with the heat insulation box 151.

A water guide hole 520 for guiding discharged water from the water discharge hole 418 to the ice making device 20 can be defined in the upper surface of the tank support 50. To prevent the water discharged from the water discharge hole 418 from leaking into a space between the upper surface of the tank support 50 and a lower surface of the water tank 20, a portion of the water discharge hole 418 can be inserted into the water guide hole 520.

The ice making device 20 may include an ice making tray 210 including a plurality of ice making chambers 212 for generating pieces of ice, a drive unit 280 for rotating the ice making tray 210, and valve operating units 230 and 240 that transmit the rotational force of ice tray 210 to valve assembly 430 to operate valve assembly 430.

The ice making tray 210 may include a water supply guide 210 to guide the water supplied from the water tank 20 to the plurality of ice making chambers 212. The water supply guide 220 may extend upwardly from an upper surface of the ice tray 210.

A first axis 214 of rotation and a second axis 215 of rotation that are centers of rotation of the ice tray 210 can be disposed on both side surfaces of the ice tray 210. The axes 214 and 215 of rotation may be rotatably supported respectively by tray supports which are disposed on both sides of the ice making tray 210.

The tray supports 272 and 274 may include a first support 272 and a second support 274. In detail, the first axis of rotation 214 disposed on one side of the ice making tray 210 can pass through the first support 272. Also, the second axis of rotation 215 disposed on the other side of the ice making tray 210 can be coupled to the second bracket 274.

The drive unit 280 can be coupled to the first bracket 272. Although not shown, the drive unit 280 may include an AC motor that can rotate in one direction and a power transmission unit for transmitting the power of the AC motor. to the first axis 214 of rotation of the ice tray 210. For example, the power transmission unit may be a gear, but it is not limited thereto.

In the current embodiment, the AC motor which is relatively inexpensive compared to a bi-directionally rotating DC motor can be adapted to reduce the manufacturing costs of the refrigerator.

The first axis of rotation 214 can pass through the first bracket 272 and therefore be connected to the drive unit 280. For another example, a portion of the power transmission unit or a shaft of the AC motor, constituting the drive unit 280, can pass through the first bracket 272 and thus be coupled to the first shaft 214 of rotation of the AC motor. tray 210 for making ice.

A shaft coupling unit 275 inserted into the second axis of rotation 215 can protrude from the second bracket 274. The second coupling unit 275 can support the second axis of rotation 215 and also guide the rotation of the second axis of rotation 215.

The valve operating units 230 and 240 may include a cam 230 coupled to the second axis 215 of rotation and an operating element 240 alternately linear in a vertical direction in a state in which the operating element 240 is in contact with a surface. outer circumferential of cam 230.

Cam 230 can be coupled to second axis 215 of rotation to rotate integrally with second axis 215 of rotation. Cam 230 may include a cylindrical cam body 231 having a shaft engaging hole 232 and a protrusion 234 projecting from the outer circumferential surface of cam body 231.

The second axis of rotation 215 can be rotatably connected to the shaft coupling unit 275 in a state in which the second axis of rotation 215 is inserted into the shaft coupling hole 232. For example, the second axis of rotation 215 can be rotatably inserted into the axis coupling unit 275. Rather, the shaft coupling unit 275 can be rotatably inserted into the second shaft 215 of rotation.

The operating element 240 may have a cross section that has a non-circular shape. For example, the operating element 240 may have a column or an oval column shape that has a polygonal section and have any shape that has a non-circular section. The operating element 240 may contact a circumference of the cam body 231 and the boss 234 when the cam 230 rotates.

In detail, one or more rollers 244 may be arranged at a lower end of the operating element 240 to avoid damaging a contact surface between the operating element 240 and the cam 230 and smoothly transmit the rotational force of the cam 230 to operation element 240. Also, a roller coupling unit 242 in which one or more rollers 244 are mounted is disposed on the lower end of the operating element 240. Therefore, the one or more rollers 244 of the operating element 240 can be substantially contacted with the cam 230.

The protrusion 234 may have a round or inclined shape so that the operating element 240 moves linearly upon receiving the rotational force of the cam 230.

A movement guide 277 for guiding the linear movement of the operation element 240 in a vertical direction can extend from the second support 274. Also, the operation element 240 can be inserted into the movement guide 277. Alternatively, the movement guide 277 may surround a portion of the operating element 240. Therefore, a portion or all of a horizontal section of the movement guide 277 may be the same as that of a horizontal section of the operating element 240.

The operating element 240 can be moved upward by the rotation of the cam 230 to operate the valve assembly 430 when the ice tray 210 rotates in one direction to separate the ice pieces therefrom.

A through hole 530 through which the movement guide 277 and the operating element 240 can be defined in the tank support 50. A part or all of a horizontal section of the through hole 530 may be the same as that of a horizontal section of the movement guide 277. Also, since each of the motion guide 277 and the operating element 240 has the non-circular horizontal section, a phenomenon in which the operating element 240 unnecessarily rotates about a vertical axis passing through can be avoided. a center thereof while the operating element 240 moves vertically linearly. Therefore, the operating element 240 can stably transmit the rotational force of the ice tray 210 to the valve assembly 430.

The ice making assembly may further include an ejector 260 to separate each of the pieces of ice generated in each of the ice making chambers 212 from the ice making tray 210 while rotating the ice making tray 210. . Ejector 260 may be provided on an upper side of ice tray 210. Also, ejector 260 may have one end that is relatively rotatably connected to ice tray 210 and the other end that passes through second axis of rotation 215 and inserts into shaft coupling unit 275. That is, the end of the ejector 260 may be uselessly coupled to a side surface of the ice tray 210. Therefore, the ejector 260 can be kept in a stopped state when the ice making tray 210 rotates. Therefore, according to the current embodiment, the drive unit 280 may not be provided to rotate the ejector 260, but to rotate the ice tray 210. This is a difference between the current embodiment and the ice making device according to the related art in which the ejector rotates.

Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating a state in which an ice making tray and an ejector are arranged in accordance with the first embodiment, and Figure 6 is a view illustrating a direction of an applied ejector force. to a piece of ice generated in the ice making tray in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the ice making tray 210 in accordance with the current embodiment includes a plurality of ice making chamber 212 as described above. Also, a water supply guide 220 may extend from one side of the ice tray 210.

Ejector 260 may include a clamp shaft 262, a plurality of arms 264 extending radially from a circumference of clamp shaft 262 to collect ice pieces generated in chambers 212 for ice making.

Fixing shaft 262 may extend in a longitudinal direction of ice tray 210. Fixing axis 262 may be arranged in a position that coincides with a center line of ice making tray 210 extending in the longitudinal direction of ice making tray 210. That is, the fixing shaft 262 can be disposed on a central portion of the upper surface of the ice tray 210 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the ice tray 210.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the attachment shaft 262 can pass through both side surfaces of the ice tray 210. Fixing shaft 262 may have one end that is fixedly connected to the unit Shaft coupling 275 disposed on tray support 274. Also, the fixation shaft 262 can pass through the first and second axes 214 and 215 of rotation and therefore be kept in a fixed state even though the first and second axes 214 and 215 of rotation rotate.

The ice-making chamber 212 may have one end having a width W1 that is less than W2 of the other end thereof, so that the piece of ice generated in the ice-making chamber 212 is easily separated by the ejector. 260. That is, the ice making chamber 212 may have a gradually increasing width from one end to the other end thereof. Therefore, the piece of ice generated in the ice making chamber 212 may have widths that are different from each other on one side and the other side of the ice piece.

The plurality of arms 264 may be spirally arranged along the clamping axis 262 so that pieces of ice generated in the plurality of ice-making chambers 212 are successively separated from the ice-making tray 210 while rotating the tray 210 for making ice.

In detail, the plurality of arms 264 may be spaced a predetermined distance from each other on an outer circumferential surface of the fixing shaft 262 about a longitudinal direction of the fixing shaft 262. The plurality of arms 264 may be arranged in a spiral fashion to wrap around the fixing shaft 262. Then, since the ice pieces generated in the plurality of ice making chambers 212 are successively separated by time difference, the ice making tray 210 can rotate with a relatively small force.

According to the current embodiment, since the AC motor is used to rotate the ice tray 210, the AC motor has a lower torque than that of the DC motor.

Therefore, in the current embodiment, the ice pieces generated in the plurality of ice-making chambers 212 can be successively separated one by one, so that the ice pieces generated in the ice-making tray 210 are separated. easily from the ice making tray 210 by the lesser pair.

Also, as illustrated in Figure 6, to easily separate the ice piece I from the ice-making chamber 212 from the ice-making tray 210, each of the arms 264 can press a portion that has a relatively wide width. small of an upper surface of the ice piece I by a predetermined force F when rotating the ice tray 210.

In detail, when the arm 264 presses the portion, which has a relatively small width, of the upper surface of the piece of ice I, one end of the upper surface, which has a relatively large width, of the piece of ice can protrude from the top surface of the ice making tray 210. Also, an end of the upper surface having a relatively small width of the ice piece can be moved along a rounded lower surface of the ice-making chamber 212.

Also, since the ice-making chamber 212 has a width that gradually increases from one end to the other end thereof, and the upper surface of the piece of ice having a relatively small width is pressed, when the separation of ice is started. the ice piece, a state can be released in which a side surface of the ice piece contacts a side surface of the ice-making chamber 212. Therefore, a phenomenon in which the separation of the ice piece is interrupted by a friction force between the ice piece and the ice making tray 210 can be solved. If the ice-making chamber 212 has a uniform width as the structure of the ice-making tray 210 according to the related art, the friction force can be applied between the side surface of the ice piece and the side surface of the ice. the ice-making chamber 212 until the ice piece is perfectly separated from the ice-making chamber 212, and therefore the separation efficiency of the ice piece can be reduced.

Also, in the current embodiment, since the water in the water tank 40 can fall freely and thus be supplied to the ice tray 210 while rotating the ice tray 210, a step step is not necessary. water guide for distributing and supplying the water in each of the plurality of ice making chambers 212 in the ice making tray 210.

If the water guide passage is defined in the ice making tray 210, the existing water in the water guide passage can be frozen to allow the pieces of ice generated in the ice making chambers adjacent to each other. connect with each other, thus acting as a factor that disturbs the separation of the ice piece. Also, since the ice piece has to be separated in the water guide passage to separate the connected ice pieces, a lot of torque may be required. However, in the current embodiment, since the passage of the water guide connecting the two adjacent ice making chambers to each other is not defined in the ice making tray, the piece of ice can be separated from the tray. for ice making, even when using the AC motor which generates relatively less torque.

Figure 7 is a view for explaining the operation of an ice-making assembly according to the first embodiment, and Figure 8 is a partially enlarged view of portions A and B of Figure 7.

Figure 7A is a view of the ice-making assembly when the water supply is started, and Figure 7B is a view of the ice-making assembly while the water is being supplied. Also, Figure 7C is the ice making assembly after completing the water supply.

Referring to Figure 7A, a heater 540 for heating the water tank 40 can be arranged in the tank holder 50 to prevent the water in the water tank 40 from freezing. In the present embodiment, since the water tank 40 is arranged in the heat insulation box 151, freezing of the water in the water tank 40 can be minimized. Also, the heater 540 can prevent freezing of the water in the water tank 40.

In detail, the supply of water for making the ice pieces can be started in a state that the ice making tray 210 rotates at a predetermined angle as illustrated in FIG. 7A. That is, the water supply can be started in a state in which a water supply guide 220 rotates inclined. Then, the water stored in the water tank 40 can be discharged to the outside through the valve assembly 430. Water discharged from valve assembly 430 can fall into water supply guide 220. In this document, since the water supply guide 220 is in the inclined state, the supplied water can be supplied uniformly to the plurality of ice making chambers 212 without a separate water guide passage. Also, the ice making tray 210 can gradually rotate in a direction that the water supply guide 220 is in a vertical position while supplying the water to prevent the supplied water from flowing out. Also, when the water is fully supplied, an angle formed between the water supply guide 220 and a horizontal plane may be about 45 °, however, it is not limited thereto. That is, a predetermined angle of less than about 90 ° can be set, in which water does not flow down from the ice tray 210.

Also, when the water is fully supplied, the first ice making tray 210 rotates so that the water supply guide 220 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. Ice making can begin in the state that the water supply guide 220 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

Figure 7D is a view of the ice-making assembly when ice separation is started, and Figure 7e is a view of the ice-making assembly while ice separation is being performed. Also, Figure 7F is a view of the ice making assembly when the ice separation is complete.

As illustrated, when ice making is complete, the ice making tray 210 can begin to rotate in the same direction that the ice making tray 210 rotates while supplying water so that the piece of ice is turned. is separated from the ice tray 210 by the ejector 260. The arm 264 of the ejector 260 can press an upper surface of a rear end of the ice piece that has a relatively small width to allow the ice piece to separate from tray 210 for making ice. In this document, the rear end of the ice piece may represent an end to one side of the water supply guide 220.

Figure 8A is an enlarged view of portion A of Figure 7A. Figure 8B is an enlarged view of portion B of Figure 7B.

First, referring to FIG. 8A, the valve assembly 430 in the current embodiment can be coupled to a valve coupling portion 416 disposed on the tank body 410. The valve coupling part 416 may be one end that is disposed on the tank body 410 and the other end projects upward from the tank body 410. Also, a portion of the valve assembly 430 can be inserted into the valve coupling portion 416.

The valve coupling portion 416 may communicate with the water discharge hole 418 defined in the lower wall 415 of the tank body 410. Also, an introduction hole 417 into which water is introduced into the tank body 410 can be defined in the valve coupling piece 416. The valve assembly 430 can open and close the introduction hole 417 or the hole 418 water discharge. That is, the valve assembly 430 may allow the introduction hole 417 to communicate with the flush hole 418 or prevent the introduction hole 417 from communicating with the flush hole 418.

The valve assembly 430 includes a valve body 434 inserted into the valve coupling part 416 from an upper end of the valve coupling part 416, a rod 433 passing through the valve body 434, an element 432 of valve disposed at a lower end of the rod 433 to open and close the water discharge hole 418, a valve lever 436 connected to an upper end of the rod 433 to operate by the valve operating units 230 and 240, and an elastic member 437 disposed between the valve body 434 and the valve member 432 and installed on an outer circumferential surface of the rod 433.

The valve member 432 may be a rubber packing member to simultaneously block or open the introduction hole 417 and the discharge hole 418, thereby controlling the discharge of the water.

The elastic member 437 can apply a force to move the valve member 432 in a direction in which the water discharge hole 418 closes to the valve member 432.

The valve lever 436 can be force-fed from the valve operating units 230 and 240 to rotate, thereby lifting the rod 433 so that the introduction hole 417 communicates with the water discharge hole 418 through the valve element 432.

Water passing through the introduction hole 417 can flow along an external surface of the valve element 432 and an internal surface of the valve coupling portion 416 and then discharged through the water discharge hole 418. In this document, since the discharged water does not come into contact with the elastic member 437, the elastic member 437 can be prevented from rusting, and therefore the water tank can have excellent sanitation.

Referring to Figures 7C and 9A, during ice making, the operating element 240 is maintained in a state in which the operating element 240 contacts the cam body 231, and the valve assembly 430 is held in place. a state in which communication between the introduction hole 417 and the water discharge hole 418 is blocked.

The water supplied to the ice making chambers 212 can be cooled and frozen by the cold air from the freezing compartment 11. Although not shown, a temperature sensor may be provided on the ice making tray 210. The controller can determine if ice making is complete based on a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

When it is determined that ice making is complete, the controller may operate drive unit 280 so that ice making tray 210 rotates in one direction.

As illustrated in Figures 7D and 7E, when the drive unit 280 operates, the rotational force of the motor can be transmitted to the ice tray 210 to rotate the ice tray 210 in the counterclockwise direction. of the clock.

As the ice making tray 210 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the pieces of ice generated in the ice making chambers 212 can be successively separated by the ejector 260. While the ice making tray 210 rotates In the counterclockwise direction, the operating element 240 can come into contact with the outer circumference of the cam body 231. However, the operating element 240 does not rise.

As illustrated in FIG. 7F, the operating element 240 may contact the cam body 231 but not contact the boss 234 in a state in which ice separation is completed.

When the ice making tray 210 further rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the state in which the ice separation is completed, the operating element 240 may contact the protrusion 234 as illustrated in Figure 7A. . Also, when the ice making tray 210 further rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the operating element 240 may ascend in a state in which the operating element 240 contacts the protrusion 234.

When operating element 240 rises, valve lever 436 is raised as illustrated in Figure 8B. When the valve lever 436 is raised, the valve lever 436 may allow the rod 433 to rise. When the rod 433 rises, the valve element 432 connected to the rod 433 rises to allow the insertion hole 417 to communicate with the water discharge hole 418. Therefore, the water in the water tank 40 can be discharged through the water discharge hole 418. Water discharged through the water discharge hole 418 can pass through the water guide hole 520 of the tank holder 50 to fall into the water supply guide 220 of the ice tray 210.

Also, as illustrated in Figure 7C, when the ice making tray 210 is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the water falling into the water supply guide 220 can be distributed to each of the chambers 212 for making ice of tray 210 for making ice. Also, the operating element 240 can climb over the boss 234 of the cam 230 to descend. In this document, the operating element 240 can be lowered by its own weight and by the rotational force of the valve lever 436 in accordance with a restoring force of the elastic element in the valve assembly 430.

In the state illustrated in Figure 7C, the ice-making tray 210 can be stopped, and the water supply can be completed.

In the current embodiment, an amount of water discharged from the water discharge hole 418 or an amount of water supplied to the ice making tray 210 can vary according to the time that the hole Introduction 417 communicates with water discharge hole 418 in accordance with the operation of valve assembly 430.

In the current embodiment, the communication time may vary in accordance with a rotation speed of the ice tray 210 or a length or shape of the cam boss 234.

For example, the rotation of the ice making tray 210 can be controlled so that the ice making tray 210 has a speed of rotation while supplying water, which is less than that of the ice making tray 210. while the ice is separated. Of course, the ice making tray 210 can be kept at a uniform rotational speed. Or, the ice making tray may be stopped in a state that the ice making tray 210 rotates as illustrated in Figure 7B and then rotates again after a predetermined time elapses.

That is, referring to the process illustrated in Figure 7, in the current embodiment, when a process in which the piece of ice is made in the tray for making ice is called a process for making ice, a process for supplying ice. water in which the water in the water tank is supplied to the ice making tray, the ice making process in which the piece of ice is generated in the ice making tray, and a process of separating ice in which the piece of ice generated in the ice making tray is separated after the ice making process can be successively completed while the ice making tray rotates in one direction within a range of one revolution.

Also, the water supply process may include a first rotating process in which the ice making tray rotates to a position to receive the water, a waiting process to wait until the water is loaded into the making tray. of ice and a second rotating process in which the ice making tray rotates to distribute the water supplied in the ice making tray to each of the ice making chambers.

Alternatively, the water supply process can be performed while the ice making tray is continuously rotating.

According to the current proposed embodiment, the water tank having the water discharge hole and the valve is arranged above the ice making tray, and the valve operating unit can transmit the rotating force of the ice maker tray to operate the valve. Therefore, the water in the water tank can fall freely and thus be supplied to the ice making tray without a pump and electronic valve adjusting the flow rate.

Therefore, since it is not necessary to use an electronic pump and valve, the refrigerator can reduce manufacturing costs. Also, a control program may not be necessary to control the pump and electronic valve.

Figure 9 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment.

The current embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except for the position of an ice making assembly. Therefore, only specific portions of the current embodiment will be described below.

With reference to Figure 9, a water tank 40, an ice making device 20 and an ice container 30 can be arranged in a freezing compartment 11 in a refrigerator 2 according to the current embodiment. A shelf 16 for partitioning the freezing compartment 11 into a plurality of spaces can be arranged in the freezing compartment 11. The water tank 20 can be accommodated in a heat insulation box 151 arranged on the shelf 16.

Also, the ice making device 20 and the ice bin 30 can be arranged on a lower side of the shelf 16.

Figure 10 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment.

The current embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except for the position of an ice making assembly. Therefore, only specific portions of the current embodiment will be described below.

Referring to Figure 10, in a refrigerator 3 according to the current embodiment, a heat insulation box 151 is provided in which a water tank 40 is accommodated on a roof surface of the freezing compartment 11. An ice making device 20 can be arranged below the heat insulation box 151. Also, an ice bin 30 may be provided below the ice making device 20.

A shelf 16 for dividing the freezer compartment into a plurality of spaces can be arranged in the freezer compartment 11. The ice making device 20 may be arranged in a lower portion of the heat insulation box 151. Ice bin 30 can sit on shelf 16.

Figure 11 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment.

The current embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except for the position of an ice making assembly. Therefore, only specific portions of the current embodiment will be described below.

Referring to Figure 11, in a refrigerator according to the current embodiment, a water tank 40 can be arranged outside a main body 11, and an ice-making device 20 and an ice bin 30 can be arranged in a freezing compartment 11.

For example, the water tank 40 may be arranged on an upper surface of the main body 11 or in a tank accommodation unit that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the main body 11. Also, the water in the water tank 40 can pass through the main body 11 and thus be supplied to the ice making device 30. Of course, in this case, the water tank 40 has to be arranged directly above the device 20 for making ice. Also, an operating element for transmitting a rotational force of the ice making tray can pass through the main body 11 to contact a valve of the water tank 40.

In the current embodiment, since the water tank 40 is arranged outside the main body, a heat insulation box is not necessary.

For another example, according to the same principle as illustrated in Figure 11, the water tank can be mounted on a freezer compartment door on the outside of the freezer compartment door. Also, the ice making tray and ice bin can be arranged on a rear surface of the freezer compartment door. In this case, the water tank should be arranged directly above the ice making tray. For example, the front surface of the freezer compartment door can be recessed back to allow the tank accommodation unit to be defined in the freezer compartment door, and the ice making device can be arranged under the tank accommodation unit so that the water tank is arranged directly above the ice making tray. Also, the water discharged from the water tank can pass through the freezer compartment door and therefore be supplied to the ice making device.

For yet another example, the water tank, the ice maker and the ice bin can be arranged on the door of the refrigeration compartment. That is, as described in Prior Art Document 3, a space for making ice pieces is defined in the door of the refrigeration compartment, and the water tank, the ice making device and the ice bin are they can accommodate in space. However, since the cold air in the freezing compartment is supplied to the space, the water tank can be arranged in the heat insulation box in the space to prevent the water in the water tank from freezing.

Figure 12 is a front view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment, and Figure 13 is a perspective view of the refrigerator whose door is in the open state.

Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment includes the main body 10 in which the storage compartment is defined therein and the door that selectively protects the storage compartment from the main body 10 as described. illustrated in Figure 1.

The storage compartment may include the freezer compartment 11 and the refrigeration compartment 12. The freezer compartment 11 and the refrigeration compartment 12 can be partitioned on the left and right sides by a barrier 101. Of course, when the barrier 101 is arranged horizontally, the freezer compartment 11 and the refrigeration compartment 12 are They can be partitioned on the top and bottom sides as illustrated in Figure 1.

A plurality of shelves and a plurality of drawers may be provided to accommodate food in the freezer compartment 11 and the refrigeration compartment 12.

Also, the door includes the freezer compartment door 13 and the refrigerator compartment door 14 to respectively protect the freezer compartment 11 and the refrigeration compartment 12. The freezer compartment door 13 and the refrigerator compartment door 14 can be rotatably mounted on the main body 10 to selectively protect the freezer compartment 11 and the refrigeration compartment 12.

The door handles 134 and 141 can be respectively disposed on the front surfaces of the freezer compartment door 13 and the refrigerator compartment door 14. A 133 dispenser can be arrange on the front surface of the door 13 of the freezer compartment. The dispenser 133 can be arranged to one side of the freezer compartment door 13 and the refrigerator compartment door 14.

The dispenser 133 is a device for dispensing purified water used as drinking water or pieces of ice from the outside. The dispenser 133 may communicate with a portion of the ice making device 20 which will be described later to dispense the ice pieces.

In this document, the ice making device 20 may be arranged above the dispenser 133 and protected by a first cover 131 and a second cover 132 arranged on the door 13 of the freezer compartment.

Figure 14 is a schematic view of an ice-making device according to one embodiment, and Figure 15 is the control constitutions of a temperature sensor, a controller, and an ice separating motor arranged in the making device. of ice.

Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the ice making device 20 may include an ice making tray 210, a water tank 40, a heater 540, a temperature sensor 213, electrodes 216 and 217, a frame 22 , contact points 221 and 222, and a controller 21.

The ice making device 20 can determine whether water is charged into the water tank 40 by using a principle in which, when water is supplied to the ice making tray 210 from the water tank 40, a The surface temperature of the ice making tray 210 increases more than a freezing temperature due to the water supplied from the water tank 40. Then, the ice making device 20 can determine if the heater 540 arranged on the water tank 40 is working.

That is, when the surface temperature of the ice-making tray 210 reaches a preset temperature, the ice-making device 20 determines that water is charged into the water tank 40 to continuously maintain the operation of the heater 540 arranged. above the water tank 40.

Also, when the surface temperature of the ice making tray 210 does not reach a preset temperature, the ice making device 20 again rotates the ice making tray 210 to perform the water supply process once more. However, when the surface temperature of the ice making tray 210 does not reach the preset temperature, it can be determined that there is no water in the water tank 40. Therefore, the operation of the heater 540 arranged on the water tank 40 can be stopped, or the heater 540 can be kept in a stopped state. In this document, the preset temperature represents a temperature higher than the freezing temperature.

In this way, the ice making device 20 can appropriately control an on / off operation of the heater 540 according to whether water is normally supplied to the ice making tray 210 to minimize the energy consumed by the heater 540.

The constitutions and principles of operation of the constitutions of the ice making device 20 may be the same as those of the ice making device 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 11. That is, the ice making tray 210 receives the water from the water tank 40. The water tank 40 may include the water discharge hole. Also, the valve assembly 430 can be disposed over the water discharge hole. Ice making tray 210 operates the valve while rotating through an angle of approximately 360 ° by an ice separation motor 24 to allow water to be supplied to ice making tray 210. The ice separating motor 24 may be the AC motor rotating in a single direction that is described in the descriptions with respect to Figures 1 to 11.

The heater 540 can heat the water tank 40 to prevent the water in the water tank 40 from freezing. Also, the heater 540 can be stopped when there is no water in a water container of the water tank 40 to minimize an amount of energy consumption.

The ice making device 20 can determine whether there is water in the water container of the water tank 40 by determining whether the water is normally supplied to the ice making tray 210 after the piece of ice generated in the tray is separated. 210 for ice making.

Also, the ice making device 20 can determine whether water is normally supplied to the ice making tray 210 by detecting whether the surface temperature of the ice making tray 210 increases when using the mounted temperature sensor 213. on the tray 210 for making ice.

The temperature sensor 213 may be disposed on a lower surface of the ice tray 210. However, the present description is not limited to a position of the temperature sensor 213. For example, the temperature sensor 213 can be disposed between the lower surface and an upper surface of the ice tray 210.

The temperature sensor 213 disposed on the ice tray 210 can be electrically connected to the controller 21. Therefore, the temperature information of the surface of the ice tray 210 measured by the temperature sensor 213 can be transmit to controller 21.

Electrodes 216 and 217 may include a first electrode 216 and a second electrode 217 that are attached to a side surface of ice tray 210. Contact points 221 and 222 may include a first contact point 221 that contacts the first electrode 216 and a second contact point 222 that contacts the second electrode 217.

Each of the first and second electrodes 216 and 217 can be electrically connected to the temperature sensor 213 and attached to the side surface of the ice tray 210.

Also, first and second contact points 221 and 222 electrically connected to controller 21 can be attached to frame 22 to which ice tray 210 is rotatably coupled.

In this document, for example, the frame 22 may correspond to the tray support 274 constituting the ice-making device 20 described in Figure 4. That is, the first and second contact points 221 and 222 may be arranged on a lateral surface of the tray holder on which the shaft coupling unit 275 is arranged. In detail, the first and second contact points 221 and 222 can be arranged in a position that is spaced a predetermined distance from the shaft coupling unit 275.

Also, the first and second electrodes 216 and 217 may be disposed on one end of the valve operating unit 230. In detail, the first and second electrodes 216 and 217 can be arranged at one end of the cam 231 in contact with the tray support 274.

More particularly, the first and second contact points 221 and 222 may be disposed on the tray support 274 along a circumference corresponding to the rotation trace of the first and second electrodes 216 and 217. Also, the unit 275 of Shaft coupling can be a center of the circumference corresponding to the rotation trace of the first and second electrodes 216 and 217.

Also, the first and second contact points 221 and 222 may be recessed at a predetermined depth from the frame 22 (or a surface of the tray support 274). Also, the first and second electrodes 216 and 217 may protrude from the side surface of the ice tray 210 (or the end of the cam 231). This is done to increase a degree of contact between contact points 221 and 222 and electrodes 216 and 217.

The first and second contact points 221 and 222 may respectively be in contact with the first and second electrodes 216 and 217 at predetermined positions in accordance with the rotation of the ice tray 210.

Figure 16 is a view illustrating one form of a contact point disposed on a frame of the ice maker.

With reference to Figure 16, the first and second contact points 221 and 222 can be respectively disposed in a predetermined position on a path 216a of movement of the first electrode 216 and a predetermined position on a path 217a of movement of the second electrode 217 when rotates tray 210 for ice making. As illustrated, when the first and second contact points 221 and 222 are arranged at a predetermined position on the path of movement 216a of the first electrode 216 and a predetermined position on the path of movement 217a of the second electrode 217, information can be transmitted. from temperature sensor 213 to controller 21 from temperature sensor 213 when the first contact point 221 contacts the first electrode 216, and the second contact point 222 contacts the second electrode 217.

Figures 17 and 19 are views of one form of a contact point arranged on a frame of an ice-making device according to another embodiment.

With reference to Figure 17, the first and second contact points 221 and 222 may be arc-shaped and disposed in a predetermined section on the path 216a of movement of the first electrode 216 and in a predetermined section on the path 217a of movement. of the second electrode 217.

With reference to Figure 18, the first and second contact points 221 and 222 can be arranged over a complete section on the path 216a of movement of the first electrode 216 and on a complete section on the path 217a of movement of the second electrode 217.

With reference to Figure 19, the first and second contact points 221 and 222 can be arranged in a plurality of positions on the path 216a of movement of the first electrode 216 and a plurality of positions on the path 217a of movement of the second electrode 217

Controller 21 can be electrically connected to first and second contact points 221 and 222 to block energy that is selectively supplied to heater 540 in accordance with the temperature of ice tray 210.

That is, since the ice-making device 20 has the electrodes 216 and 217 and the contact points 221 and 222 in the parts where the temperature sensor 213 is electrically connected to the controller 21, there is no risk of damaging or twisting an electrical cord while rotating the ice tray 210.

Next, a method for controlling the refrigerator to turn on / off the heater 540 will be described in detail.

Figure 20 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment.

Referring to Fig. 20, in step S11, a state in which the heater 540 mounted on the surface of the water tank 40 can be kept in the on state, and thus the water stored in the tank 40 of Water remains in a liquid state without being frozen can be defined as a basic state.

Then, at step S12, when the ice piece is completely made, the ice making tray 210 rotates to separate the ice piece therefrom. In step S13, after the piece of ice is separated from the ice making tray 210, the ice making tray 20 further rotates by a predetermined angle, and when the ice making tray 20 reaches a position for receiving water from the water tank 40, the water supply operation is performed. Then, in step S14, when the water is fully supplied, the temperature sensor 213 detects a temperature of the ice making tray 210.

That is, after the piece of ice is separated from the ice-making tray 210, the water discharge unit of the water tank 40 is opened to complete the water supply, and then the temperature of the ice can be measured. tray 210 for ice making by temperature sensor 213. In this document, a time point where the temperature sensor 213 measures the temperature of the ice making tray 210 may be a time point just after the water is fully supplied as illustrated in Figure 7b, or the ice making tray 210 rotates until the ice making operation begins after the water has been fully supplied as illustrated in Figure 7c.

When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 213 reaches a preset temperature, it can be determined that there is water in the water tank 40, and therefore, the operation of the heater 540 is continuously maintained. That is, if water exists in the water tank 40, when the water is supplied to the ice making tray 210 from the water tank 40, the ice making tray 210 may increase the temperature. Therefore, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 213 can be changed from a freezing temperature to a preset temperature that is higher than the freezing temperature.

If a temperature measured by the temperature sensor 213 does not reach a preset temperature, in step S16, the ice making tray 210 rotates once more to repeat the water supply operation. Then, in operation S17, the temperature sensor 213 again detects the temperature of the ice tray 210. In step S18, it can be detected again whether the temperature of the ice making tray 210 reaches a preset temperature. Also, when it is determined that the temperature of the ice making tray 210 reaches a temperature higher than the preset temperature, the water can be supplied normally. Therefore, it is determined that the water exists in the water tank 40, and therefore the control process is completed.

In detail, a case where after the ice making tray 210 rotates to separate the ice piece therefrom, water is not supplied to the ice making tray 210 from the water tank 40 due to that a malfunction of the water tank 40 may occur. In this case, the water supply operation can be performed again to determine whether the water tank 40 is empty or whether it is simply the malfunction of the water tank 40.

When a temperature of the ice making tray 210 does not reach a preset temperature even though the water supply operation is performed again, in step S19, it is determined that there is no water in the water tank 40, and the operation is stopped. heater 540. Although not shown in the flow chart, when heater 540 is stopped, an alarm signal can be generated to notify water replenishment at the same time.

Through the above processes, it can be determined whether the heater 540 works by determining whether there is water in the water tank 40 to reduce energy consumption.

According to the refrigerator and the refrigerator control method according to embodiments, there are the following effects.

First, in the ice-making assembly according to the embodiment, the water tank including the valve for opening and closing the water discharge hole can be arranged above the ice-making tray. In this document, the rotating force of the ice making tray can be transmitted to the valve through the valve operating unit to operate the valve. As a result, the water stored in the water tank can fall freely and thus be supplied to the ice making tray without the pump to supply water and the electronic valve to adjust the flow rate. Therefore, since it is not necessary to use the pump and the electronic valve, the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator can be reduced. Also, the control program to control the pump and electronic valve may be unnecessary.

Second, the ice-making chamber can have the width that gradually decreases from one side to the other side thereof, and the ejector arm can first contact the ice portion, which has a relatively narrow width, separated from the tray. ice making tray while the ice making tray rotates to press the piece of ice to be separated. Therefore, even though the cheap AC motor is used, the ice piece can be easily detached from the ice making tray. Also, since the tray has to rotate in only one direction, the motor that rotates in the only direction can be used to reduce manufacturing costs.

Third, since the elastic member arranged in the valve does not contact the water, oxidation of the elastic member can be prevented to improve the sanitation of the water tank.

Fourth, although the ice tray rotates, the electrically connected portion of the temperature sensor may not interfere with the ice tray.

Fifth, the heater arranged in the water tank can be effectively controlled in operation to minimize energy consumption due to the operation of the heater.

Sixth, since the operation of the heater stops in a state where there is no water in the water tank, the phenomenon that the water tank overheats can be avoided. Also, the refrigerator malfunction or breakdown can be avoided.

It should be understood that those skilled in the art can devise many other modifications than the described embodiments that will fall within the scope of the appended claims. More particularly, variations and modifications to the component parts and / or arrangements thereof are possible and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body (10) comprising a storage compartment (11); a door (13) for opening or closing the storage compartment; an ice-making device (20) disposed in the storage compartment or on a rear surface of the door; a water tank (40), arranged above the ice maker, for supplying water for making ice pieces for the ice maker; an ice bin (30), arranged below the ice making device, for storing pieces of ice made in the ice making device, wherein the ice making device comprises: an ice-making tray (210) comprising a plurality of ice-making chambers (212) for receiving water for making ice pieces; an ejector (260) extending from an upper central portion of the ice tray in a longitudinal direction of the ice tray, the ejector is configured to pass through both ends of the ice tray , wherein the ejector is arranged to hold in a fixed state during water supply, ice making, and ice separation, and wherein the ice making tray is configured to rotate 360 ° in one direction with respect to the ejector, for supplying irrigation, making ice, and separating ice; Y a tray support (274) for supporting the ice making tray, the tray support includes a shaft coupling unit (275) projecting horizontally from a surface therefrom to support the second axis of rotation, wherein the ejector includes: a fixing shaft (262) passing through both ends of the ice tray and having one end which is fixedly connected to the shaft coupling unit, to be kept in a fixed state during water supply, ice making, and ice separation; Y a plurality of arms (264) extending radially from an outer circumferential surface of the clamping shaft, to press the generated ice pieces into the ice making chambers to eject the ice pieces from the ice making tray as it rotates the ice maker tray, in which the water tank comprises: a water discharge hole (418) defined in a lower surface thereof; Y a valve assembly (430) to open and close the water discharge hole, wherein the ice making tray further comprises: a first axis (214) of rotation extending from a side surface thereof; Y a second axis (215) of rotation extending from the other side surface opposite the side surface, wherein the cooler further comprises: a drive unit (280) connected to the first axis of rotation; a valve operating unit (230) installed on an outer circumferential surface of the second axis of rotation to rotate integrally with the ice making tray, the valve operating unit comprising a cam body (231) and a protrusion ( 234) projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the cam body; Y an operating element (240) having one end in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the valve operating unit and the other end connected to the valve assembly, to convert a rotational force of the valve operating unit into a linear reciprocal movement to operate the valve assembly. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of arms (264) are arranged in a spiral fashion a predetermined distance from each other on the outer circumferential surface of the fixing shaft (262) in a longitudinal direction such that the pieces of ice generated in the chambers (212) for making ice are successively separated by a time difference. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of ice-making chambers (212) has first and second ends opposite each other, a width of the first end is less than a width of the second end. , Y wherein each of the plurality of arms (264) is configured to press an upper surface of a piece of ice generated in the ice-making chamber at one end of the piece of ice that corresponds to the first end of the chamber for ice making, to eject ice pieces from the ice making chamber. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the tray support (274) further comprises a movement guide (277) extending upward from the tray support, and wherein when the operating member (240) is inserted into the motion guide, the operating member moves vertically when the cam body (231) rotates. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the fixing shaft (262) has an end that passes through the second axis of rotation (215) and is fixedly supported by the coupling unit (275) of the shaft, and wherein the second axis of rotation is rotatably supported by the shaft coupling unit. The refrigerator according to claim 4, further comprises a tank support (50) for supporting the water tank (40), wherein the tank support comprises: a through hole (530) through which the movement guide (277) passes; Y a water guide hole (520) for guiding water discharged from the water discharge hole (418) in the ice making tray (210). The refrigerator according to claim 6, further comprises a heater (540) mounted on the tank support (50). The refrigerator according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage compartment (11) comprises a freezer compartment, wherein the door (13) comprises a freezer compartment door, wherein the ice making device (20), the ice bin (30), and the water tank (40) are arranged on the freezer compartment door, and wherein the refrigerator further comprises a heat insulation box (151) disposed on a rear surface of the freezer compartment door to accommodate the water tank therein. The refrigerator according to claim 7, further comprises: a temperature sensor (213) mounted on a surface of the ice tray (210) to detect a temperature of the ice tray; electrodes (216, 217) electrically connected to the temperature sensor, the electrodes are disposed on a side surface of the ice tray facing the tray holder (274); contact points (221, 222) disposed on the tray holder to make electrical contact with the electrode; Y a controller (21) electrically connected to the contact point to receive the temperature value from the ice making tray. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein each of the electrodes (216, 217) is disposed on one end of the valve operating unit (230) that is in contact with the support (274) of tray, and in which each of the contact points (221, 222) is arranged on a circumference corresponding to a rotation trace of the electrode. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the heater (540) is configured to be controlled in the on / off operation by the controller (21) depending on the temperature value detected by the sensor (213) of temperature.